Lesli Margherita News

Over twenty of the biggest names on Broadway joined together to work behind the counter at Schmackary's selling delicious, freshly-baked cookies to the public in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Below, check out pics of Audra McDonald, Will Swenson, Laura Osnes, as well as cast members from FUN HOME, ALADDIN, ON THE TOWN, and more!

On Monday, May 25th the Theater People Podcast welcomes Tony-nominated composer Jeanine Tesori. In the interview, she talks of the five-year journey that she took alongside lyricist and book writer Lisa Kron adapting Alison Bechdel's celebrated graphic memior. After a ground breaking Off-Broadway run, the musical is now Tony-nominated and playing at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theater. Tesori and Kron have been nominated together for this year's Best Original Score award; should they win, the pair would become the first all-female writing team in Tony history to take home that the prize.

Lesli Margherita -- MATILDA THE MUSICAL's long-running 'Mrs. Wormwood'? -- revealed via Twitter today that she will be departing the show on September 6, 2015.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: PERMISSION opens off-Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda joins John Kander after THE VISIT and more!

On Monday, May 18th, the Theater People Podcast welcomes IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU star Lisa Howard. Lisa made her Broadway debut as Rona Lisa Peretti in the 2006 Tony nominated production of 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. From there she has been seen on Broadway in SOUTH PACIFIC, PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT, and 9 TO 5. In IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, Howard has received glowing notices and a Drama Desk Award nomination for her turn as Jenny, older sister of the Bride who's gone out of her way to plan the perfect wedding. Despite acting alongside Broadway favorites like Tyne Daly, Harriet Harris, and Sierra Boggess, much has been made of IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU being a star making vehicle for Howard. 

It's time for another edition of BREAKING DOWN THE RIFFS, from YouTube sensation and Broadway vet Natalie Weiss! We are excited to exclusively bring you the latest episode, in which Natalie breaks down the riffs of Tori Kelly with Matilda's own Lesli Margherita. Check out the full episode below!

LIKE YOU LIKE IT, the award-winning musical based on the Bard's As You Like It set at a mall in the 1980s, recently wrapped vocal recordings on the upcoming Studio Cast RADcording, coming from Broadway Records this fall. Click below to go behind the scenes with Derek Klena (who stars as Orlando) and more!

On Monday, May 11 the Theater People podcast welcomes 2015 Tony-nominee, Tony Yazbeck. Currently starring in the critically acclaimed and Tony nominated Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, Tony opens up about how the role first came to him for the 2008 Encores production, his experience with the pre-Broadway run at Barrington Stage, and how, as a true triple threat, he was particularly suited to play the role on Broadway.

On Monday, May 4, Theater People podcast welcomes 'The First Lady of British Musical Theater,' Olivier Award-winner Elaine Paige. For the episode, Paige discusses her farewell tour, and what exactly she means by 'farewell.' She also talks about the upcoming theatrical release of her recent concert which was filmed at Royal Albert Hall in London. Paige, perhaps best know for originating the roles of Eva Peron in EVITA and Grizabella in CATS, shares her remembrances of how those roles came to her and how they changed her life and career. Paige made her Broadway debut in 1995 as Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber's SUNSET BOULEVARD Sunset Boulevard. She returned to Broadway in the critically acclaimed and Tony award winning 2012 revival of FOLLIES. In the role of Carlotta Campion, Paige received terrific notices for her performance of the showstopping song 'I'm Still Here.'

After 18 months of successful broadcasting, the popular Theater People Podcast has launched a KickStarter campaign to help fund their new season. Having interviewed Broadway greats from Lin-Manuel Miranda to Laura Osnes (twice) to Celia Keenan-Bolger, the Theater People Podcast is one of the most influential and inspiring connections that many theatre fans have with their idols. The podcast has become a valuable resource for students, individuals working to build a career in the performing arts, and theater lovers across the world.

On Tuesday, April 28th the Theater People Podcast welcomes three-time Tony-nominee Martha Plimpton. Perhaps best know for her TV and film work (RAISING HOPE, THE GOONIES, PARENTHOOD, 200 CIGARETTES), she is also a reproductive rights activist and beloved theater star. On the episode she discusses 'Broadway Acts for Women,' taking place Sunday, May 3rd at 54 Below. The event, benefiting A is For..., an organization co-founded by Plimpton in 2012, will feature Patti LuPone, Lena Hall, and Jessie Tyler Ferguson among other Broadway A-Listers. Information and tickets can be found at www.54below.com.

Annoying Actor Friend just announced the inaugural AWARESIE AWARDS. But what are they, exactly?

Schmackary's, New York's uniquely gourmet cookie company, will host its 3rd annual BROADWAY BAKES event May 25-29, 2015. Over twenty of the biggest names on Broadway will join together to work behind the counter at Schmackary's selling delicious, freshly-baked cookies to the public in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Like You Like It, the award-winning musical based on the Bard's As You Like It set at a mall in the 1980s, recently wrapped vocal recordings on the upcoming Studio Cast RADcording, coming from Broadway Records this fall.

Broadway Bares gets up close and personal as the 2015 Bares season gets underway with Broadway Bares Solo Strips at 9 pm on Sunday, May 10, 2015, at 42West (514 West 42nd Street, NYC).

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, April 19, 2015 - Sunday, April 19, 2015.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Natalie Douglas in 'Hello Dolly...The Music of Dolly Parton;' 54 Sings the Beatles; Donna Vivino: Confessions of a Broadway Baby; Lesli Margherita: All Hail the Queen; and Sondheim Unplugged.